Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

The whole Ward saga is not Wards fault, its the fault of the AFL allowing this sort of money to be thrown at young kids like Ward and Scully. Its also the failure of our club to have not convinced him to stay.

What is poor Ward to do at the age of 21 being offered $800,000 per annum. He has to weight that up with leaving his family and friends, his team mates, his surroundings and he doesn't even know who will be his new coach if he were to stay.

If he takes the money, he will be at a start up club under Sheedy, the coach he looked up to as an Essendon supporter, probably with great facilities, more staff, more spending on the football department. He will be in a team that will endure some big floggings and probably won't play finals for at least 3 years.

At age 21 these are big decisions and all Bulldog supporters should understand if he leaves its a once in a lifetime opportunity. Of course as Bulldog supporters we have every right to boo him next year.

Me three.

Very disappointed but can't be bitter at Callan -- just furious with the AFL.

[Maddog37]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

My emotions swing daily on this one.

I think until we see Cal talk about his decision it will be hard to decide how you view him going forward.

I understand the cash side of things but still hate the idea of anyone turning their back on the Dogs.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

They aren't made of money down at Arden St but Swallow stayed. Kreuze and Murphy did likewise at a club with bigger debts than ours. Forget the Judd visy thing for a second, by offloading Fev they ensured Kreuze, Gibbs and Murphy would be paid in accordance to ward off the expansion clubs. By contrast we plunge into salary cap strife by buckling to Lake's top end demands. Not smart list management I'd have thought

The blame for Callan Ward's departure rests solely with the AFL in their decision to allow GWS open recruitment without imposing restrictions like length of service, age etc to protect clubs like the Western Bulldogs being targeted. Melbourne is in a similar problem with the potential loss of Scully. On the question of Lake there has been little argument on his contract dollars increase coming on the top of two All Australian selections.
All roads appear to lead to blaming Fantasia for the loss of Ward but knowing David Smorgan's standing, I am sure he and the Board would have done everything possible to retain his services. I would like to see Ward play at the weekend and who knows one day we might see him back in the red, white and blue.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

The whole Ward saga is not Wards fault, its the fault of the AFL allowing this sort of money to be thrown at young kids like Ward and Scully. Its also the failure of our club to have not convinced him to stay.

.

The clubs signed off on it - so they're as much to blame.

[Mantis]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

The clubs signed off on it - so they're as much to blame.

They were never in a position to go against the AFL on this one.

[Bornadog]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

The clubs signed off on it - so they're as much to blame.

They were never in a position to go against the AFL on this one.

Yes all AFL Clubs agreed to the terms of the new club coming in, but as Mantis says, did we have much choice with the bully boys from AFL HQ?

[SlimPickens]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

I know it won't but does the fact we have now lost two players to the expansion clubs, play any part in the compensation?

[Greystache]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

I know it won't but does the fact we have now lost two players to the expansion clubs, play any part in the compensation?

I think you're being a bit hopeful there mate.

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

Let's all march on AFL House and demand what we're due.

[Doc26]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

I know it won't but does the fact we have now lost two players to the expansion clubs, play any part in the compensation?

I think you're being a bit hopeful there mate.

Maybe hopeful but should still form part of the Club's case in lobbying for a fair deal. We must be on the front foot in pushing a claim for losing two players that we have invested something like 8 years combined development in and where both had moved beyond simply being speculative opportunities to locks in the best half of our starting 22.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

They were never in a position to go against the AFL on this one.

If they could rewind it now i reckon they might argue a bit harder.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

Maybe hopeful but should still form part of the Club's case in lobbying for a fair deal. We must be on the front foot in pushing a claim for losing two players that we have invested something like 8 years combined development in and where both had moved beyond simply being speculative opportunities to locks in the best half of our starting 22.

Something better than Justin Sherman would be nice!

[choconmientay]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

Something better than Justin Sherman would be nice!

Yeah ... better in both ... skills and characters.

[SlimPickens]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

I think you're being a bit hopeful there mate.

Thinking if we kick up a stink and point at the fact that we have now lost 2 potentially very good footballers (not to mention Cal will be a leader at GWS). We might possible get him lifted to category 1 in terms of compensation.

[Topdog]

Re: Callan Ward jumps Bulldogs ship to join GWS

If they could rewind it now i reckon they might argue a bit harder.

and the AFL would reject it a bit harder too. The clubs had 0 power on this one.